Washing-machine



UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE...

WILLIAM E. AsHoEAEr, orf LOVELY DALE, INDIANA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,927, dated January 25, 1881.

Application filed February 26, 1880.

' inal sectional view. Fig. 3 isa vertical cross' section. Fig. 4 is a view of therubber, detached.

Corresponding parts in the several iigures are denoted by like letters of reference.

'Ihis invention relates to washin g-m achines 5 and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, which will be hereinafterfully described, and particularlypointed Y out in the claim.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents the tub or box, having a semi-cylindrical or segmental bottom, B, ofwood or sheet metal,

and provided at one end with an inclined drain-box, C, to receive the water squeezed out of the clothes in wringing the same, and carry it back to tub or box A, the wringer being secured upon the cross-piece D, which separates the box from the drain-chamber.

The lower wash-board or rubber E is constructed of slats F Fsecured upon segmental strips Gr G, conforming 'to the curvature of the bottom. H H are coiled springs, arranged in the tub A andsupporting the rubber E, Which is thus enabled to yield and accommodate itself to the`quantity of clothes in the box. One end of rubber E abuts against a ledge, I, at one end ofthe tub or box. The other end is provided with a stud, J to which is attached oneend of a strap, K, the other end of which is secured to the bottom of tub A. rI he rubber E, which in this manner is held securely in positiou during operation of the machine, may be readily removed by unbuttoning strap K from stud J', thusv permitting the machine to be easily and thoroughly cleaned, when necessary.

'The sides ofthe tub A are provided with cleats L L, beveled upon their inner adjoining sides, thus forming dovetailed grooves in which slotted slides M M are capable of being vertically adjusted, set-screws N N being provided to retain them in any desired position. The upper ends of the slides M M have bearings for the shaft O, carrying the oscillating-rubber P, which is constructed in the usual manner with grooves or corrugations upon its under side. At or near the center of its lower face the rubber P is provided with a transverse groove, Q, wider and deeper than the rest, to receive the lower side piece of a frame, It, which is pivoted upon the sides of the rubber, as shown. The upper side piece of Vframe R forms, it will be seen, a handle, by which the lower side of the frame may be forced into or drawn out of the groove or recess Q.

S is a lever pivoted to the side of one of the rods or arms T connecting the rubber P with shaft O. Said lever is provided with several notches, U U, adapted to engage the handle of frame It, and thus retain the said frame in any desired position.

Vis a lever or latch, pivoted to the top of box or tub A, for the purpose of holding the rubber P in position while clothes are being placed in the box.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of myinveution will be readily understood.

To adjust the clothes for washing, the rubber P is raised and supported upon the latch V, while the clothes are secured or clamped to the rubber by means of the pivoted frame R. The rubber is then let down and the frame secured by the notched lever S. An oscillating motion is then imparted to the rubber P by means of a lever or handle attached to the end of shaft O, and continued until the clothes shall have been thoroughly cleansed.

By raising or lowering the slides M M the rubber P may be raised or lowered, thus enabling any desired quantity of clothes to be accommodated in the tub or box.

I am aware that the reciprocating rubber has been provided with a wire spring adapted to securing the clothes, in process of washing, to the under face of the said rubber, as is shown in the Patent No. 120,310. While I have not adopted and do not claim this spring,

IOO

I have provided a pivoted frame, the lower transverse groove Q, of the pivoted frame R, cross-bar of which enters a transverse groove and the notched lever S, substantially as and in the under face ofthe rubber, und is held in tor the purpose herein shown and specified. place to clamp the clothes by a notched lever, In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 15 5 as is plainly shown iu the drawings. I make my own I have hereto afxed my signature no claim herein to the clampiugspriug above in presence of two witnesses. referred to.

Having thus described my invention, I claim WILLIAM F' ASHCRAFT and desire to secure by Letters Patent of' the Witnesses: 1o United States- JAMES C. BURTON, f i The combination, with the rubber P, having CHRISTOPHER G. GRmER. l

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